BJP’s Vinod Tawde Denies Vote-Buying Allegations, Cites Awareness of Rules
BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde has strongly denied allegations of distributing money to influence voters, dismissing them as politically motivated.
The controversy arose after Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) leader Hitendra Thakur accused Tawde of distributing ₹5 crore at the Vivanta Hotel in Virar, a location owned by the Thakurs, just hours before the Maharashtra assembly polls.
Tawde called the allegations baseless, emphasizing his long experience in politics and adherence to electoral rules.
Allegations and Denials
Speaking to reporters, Tawde defended himself, stating, “The Vivanta Hotel is owned by the Thakurs. I am not stupid to go to their hotel and distribute money there.”
He clarified that his visit to the hotel was strictly for discussing voting procedures with party workers and not for campaigning. Tawde, who has been in politics for over 40 years, stressed his awareness of election regulations, including the prohibition of campaigning during the silence period before polls.
BVA leaders alleged that ₹5 crore was distributed at the hotel. Meanwhile, election officials reported seizing ₹9.93 lakh in cash from the hotel rooms. Police have registered two FIRs: one against Tawde, BJP candidate Rajan Naik, and others for the alleged cash distribution, and another against BJP and BVA members for holding a press conference in violation of the election code of conduct.
The cases have been lodged at Tulinj police station in Palghar district. Opposition leaders from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have called for a thorough investigation by the Election Commission into the alleged violations.
Opposition Criticism
Tawde dismissed the allegations, asserting that no money was found on him and accusing opposition leaders of fabricating charges. “BJP people are no longer stupid to distribute money in a hotel owned by opposition parties,” Tawde remarked.
He even joked about the claims involving national leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Supriya Sule, saying, “The ₹5 crore that Rahul Gandhi and Supriya Sule saw—please send it to me. They can deposit it into my bank account.”
Tawde further alleged that the accusations were a conspiracy to tarnish the BJP’s reputation. He reiterated that his presence at the hotel was solely for interacting with party workers and to offer prayers to a local deity before polling. He urged the Election Commission to conduct a probe to uncover the truth.
Political Fallout
The allegations come as a significant blow to Vinod Tawde, a seasoned politician with a career spanning several decades. A former student leader of the ABVP and a protégé of BJP stalwarts Gopinath Munde and Pramod Mahajan, Tawde has faced ups and downs in his political journey.
After being denied an assembly ticket from Maharashtra in 2019, he was rehabilitated in Delhi and had recently been gaining prominence within the BJP.
Despite this, speculation persists that internal BJP politics may be at play. Tawde was seen on camera being heckled by rival party supporters, fueling rumors that some within his own party may be attempting to hinder his ascent.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut commented on the incident, suggesting it appeared to be “an internal matter of the BJP as they want to clip the wings of Tawde.” He noted that the Maharashtra Home Department, led by BJP’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, seemed to be closely monitoring Tawde, reflecting the tensions within the party.
Tawde’s Defense
In a statement, Tawde described the incident as a deliberate attempt to malign his image and the BJP. He claimed that after being confronted by BVA workers, he called Hitendra Thakur, who then arrived at the hotel, and they left together. “So where is the question of money distribution?” Tawde questioned, reiterating his call for a thorough probe by the Election Commission.
The controversy has added another layer of complexity to Maharashtra’s volatile political landscape, as the BJP navigates both external opposition and internal rivalries.
